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The Must-Attend Event for Designers

The countdown is on for the National Festival of Design 2025 and this year, it’s all about giving designers the knowledge, tools, and connections to lead Australia’s housing future.

Join us on the Sunshine Coast from 30 October to 1 November for the 2025 National Festival of Design, a powerful three-day event spotlighting the real issues impacting Australia’s built environment. From modular and sustainable housing to affordability and design innovation, this is your chance to connect with the people shaping the future of Australian housing.

Real Conversations

Where honesty meets insight engage in powerful discussions that challenge the status quo and spark meaningful change.

Practical Solutions

Leave with more than ideas, walk away with tools, strategies, and real-world solutions you can apply immediately.

Expert Panels

Headline keynotes, including Mark Bouris and HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.

If you design homes, influence projects, assess performance or advocate for better housing outcomes, this is where you need to be.

Meet the Speakers

The National Festival of Design 2025 brings together a dynamic lineup of industry changemakers, policy leaders, economists, and technical experts all ready to tackle Australia’s housing future, from affordability and regulation to community design, sustainability, and resilience.

Here are just a few of the outstanding voices you’ll hear from

Tim Reardon

Chief Economist, Housing Industry Association

Tim’s national housing forecast is not to be missed. He’ll break down the pressures on supply, interest rates, migration, and planning reform, giving designers and consultants the data-driven context to navigate change confidently.

Janine Strachan

CEO Insulation Council of Australia and NZ (ICANZ)

With extensive industry leadership, Janine will unpack the overlooked hero of building performance: insulation and why quality control matters more than ever.

Rob Pradolin

Executive Director, Housing All Australians

Rob brings decades of experience and a passionate voice for housing as essential infrastructure. His keynote will explore real-world applications of mid-rise timber builds and how they can support housing affordability and sustainability goals.

Pete Morrison

CEO, Green Timber Tech

Learn how precision, scale and speed can redefine housing affordability, as Pete unveils the transformative potential of flat pack delivery models.

Check out the full Agenda and Speakers lineup now

AGENDA

Housing is no longer just a design issue, it’s an urgent national challenge.

As Australia faces mounting pressure to deliver more homes, faster, and more sustainably, the building design community is uniquely positioned to lead the charge. This year’s theme "From Shortage to Solution: Shaping Australia's Housing Future" is more than a headline. It’s a collective call to action for designers, assessors, consultants, planners, builders, and policy-makers to come together and drive bold, scalable responses to the housing crisis.

At the 2025 National Festival of Design, we’re exploring how design thinking can solve real-world problems. You’ll hear from economists, regulators, sustainability leaders, and design practitioners tackling the issues that matter most:

Affordability and accessibility
Planning and regulation reform
Modular and scalable construction
Climate-conscious design
Energy efficiency and compliance
Supply chain and material constraints

This isn’t a talkfest.

Whether you’re working on single homes or major developments, the insights shared here will help you deliver better outcomes for clients, communities, and the planet.

Join us to be part of the national conversation and help shape the next chapter in Australia’s housing story.

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Win 12 Months of BDAA Membership – On Us!

Buy a VIP Conference Ticket to the National Festival of Design and you’ll automatically go into the draw to win a full year of BDAA membership valued at $595!

Access exclusive member-only CPD and resources

Boost your professional credibility

Be part of a national network of design leaders

Why Attend the National Festival of Design

AGENDA

Here’s what you’ll gain by attending

The National Festival of Design isn’t just another industry event it’s where Australia’s design future takes shape.

Over three action-packed days, you’ll immerse yourself in conversations that matter, connect with the country’s most innovative design thinkers, and experience a celebration of creativity, impact, and professional excellence.

Big Conversations on Housing and Affordability

This year’s conference theme tackles one of Australia’s most urgent issues the housing crisis. Hear from economists, government leaders, consultants, and practitioners who are rethinking the way we design, build, and live.

Inspiring Keynotes and Panels

With headline speaker Mark Bouris, HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon, and a powerful lineup of expert voices, you’ll get insight into where the industry is headed and how you can stay ahead.

Unmissable Networking Opportunities

Whether you’re connecting over cocktails at the themed “Peaky Blinders” networking night, or toasting excellence at the Gala Awards, you’ll build relationships that spark ideas, partnerships, and new projects.

Engage with the Latest Products and Innovations

Explore the free Trade Show and see what’s new in materials, technology, and services. It’s your chance to connect with suppliers, get inspired by product demos, and find solutions you can implement right away.

Whether you’re a building designer, energy assessor, consultant, or part of the broader built environment community, this is your chance to grow, connect, and be part of something bigger.